Nigeria’s Senate President, David Mark has called on the Federal Government to eliminate the Boko Haram sect before resorting to dialogue. He held that the era of pretence has passed and that it is obvious that Nigeria is at war with a group whose ideology was alien to the nation’s traditions.
The Senate president lamented the effrontery displayed by the insurgents in declaring a Caliphate and hoisting flags at captured towns. He held that though there are always room for dialogue, the Boko Haram sect are almost way beyond being given that privilege.
Mark made the submissions in his opening speech at the resumption of plenary, in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the rapidly growing incidents of violence and the heinous crimes daily perpetrated by the insurgents should be focused upon with immediate effect with a view to eradicating them.
“Sure, dialogue must not be ruled out but this time around, with this scale of warfare, we must first demonstrate our strength, confront and defeat these terrorists and insurgents before we resort to dialogue,” he said.
“In my candid opinion, the Boko Haram sect has in no unmistakable terms declared a total war on Nigeria and Nigerians. Their ideology is alien to our culture. We must as a people and nation handle this situation with all the seriousness it deserves.”
He said as a person, he was to come to terms with what the Boko Haram Sect actually wants and wondered what offence the Chibok girls or any other school child, a market woman or artisan struggling to earn a living committed to warrant the sect’s barrage of attacks.
He urged his colleagues in the senate not to play politics with our collective our collective security adding that this is not the time to wilfully castigate or criticise the armed forces and security operatives.
He equally cautioned against playing the blame game and bulk passing because this is the time to unit to fight a common enemy.
He commended Nigeria’s health personnel for putting their lives on the line to contain the spread of Ebola in the country.
He hinted that the Petroleum Industry Bill would soon be passed as quickly as possible so as to maximize the benefits derivable from this God given resource.
He also expressed the willingness of the Senate to consider the report of the just concluded National Conference when Jonathan submits the documents.
